Psalm 32:8 The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."

As most of you know, last year at this time, I challenged you to choose One Word to focus your life on for the year 2010. My One Word was “Purpose”. I wrote about my One Word as I actively began pursuing Purpose. I heard from several of you when you chose your One Word!

What were your outcomes? How did you fulfill those words this past year? Or did you? What prevented you from achieving it?

I must be honest – right now I don’t feel any closer to fulfilling my Purpose than I did a year ago! I’ve actively pursued it. I’ve set goals, I’ve prayed about it, but yet at this very moment – I’m discouraged and frustrated! I know, I know – all in God’s timing! Believe me, I know! I teach it! I preach it! I write about it! But, hey what can I say – I’m human! (Yeah, I know – I was shocked to realize it, too!)

I am reviewing my blog articles from last year and will post some replays! I thought I would review my One Word for last year while deciding on “My One Word” for 2011. I will reveal My One Word soon! While we do a little rewind and replay of last years articles – begin to contemplate what your “One Word” for 2011 will be!

If you are unsure of what “My One Word” is, go to www.myoneword.org and read up on it. Meanwhile I will quote from the website.

If you’re like most people, each January goes something like this: You choose a problematic behavior that has plagued you for years and vow to reverse it. In fact, you can probably think of two or three undesirable habits—make that four or five. Thus begins the litany of imperfections to be perfected, commonly known as New Year’s Resolutions. All of which are typically off your radar by February. the un-resolution Our resolutions seldom work because they focus on the type of person we want to become rather than who God wants us to be. Many people do not see God at work in their lives simply because they don’t know what to look for. So, what if our hopes for the year centered on who God wanted us to become instead? It’s okay to want to be a better you—and the New Year is a natural time to start. The question is, how? My One Word replaces broken promises with a vision for real change. When you choose a single word, you have a single focus. You are moving toward the future rather than swearing off the past. With My One Word, you’re right where God wants you: in His hands. And it’s not an extreme makeover we’re talking about. This year, the goal is to see His work in one area of your life. a simple process So how do you go about picking a word? We’ve listed out a few steps to help you get started! step 1: DETERMINE THE KIND OF PERSON YOU WANT TO BECOME The first step is to simply take some time and decide what kind of person you want to be at the end of this year. This goes beyond simply being healthier and wealthier, but it must drive deep into your soul. What about the condition of your heart? What about the person that God Himself has created you to be? step 2: IDENTIFY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THAT PERSON Get a picture of that person and then simply identify their major characteristics. Is that person gentle? Is that person generous? What are the qualities of the person you want to become? step 3: SIMPLY PICK A WORD Once you have a list of the characteristics, simply pick a word. There might be fifteen things that you want to change, but you must resist the temptation to promise you will do them all. Instead, simply commit to ONE WORD. This will provide you with a lens to see the changes you need to make as well as a way to determine whether or not change is actually happening. Understand that this process is hard, but staying focused on your word will help you to struggle in the right direction so that you can actually see God working in your life.

As you begin to choose your One Word, do so with great purpose and intent. Put forth the time and effort to choose wisely and then pursue it with all your heart. Instead of making resolutions that most likely you will never keep, choose your One Word to focus on.

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I would love to hear from those who chose One Word for 2010! Fill us in on how it affected your year. Then when you choose your “One Word” for 2011 – let us know!